Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Mark Adams played for Malden Catholic HS in Massachusetts and also skated for the Junior Bruins in the EJHL. In 23 high school games, he scored 6 goals with 23 assists. In 32 EJHL games, he had 5 assists with 10 goals. Adams committed to playing college hockey for Providence in 2010-11.

2009-10: Adams scored 4 goals with 10 assists and was minus-3 with 85 PMs in 53 games for the USHL’s Chicago Steel. While his offensive numbers were down, Adams’ two-way play improved as the season went on and he was logging key minutes at the end of the year. He scored 3 of his 4 goals on the power play.

2010-11: Adams appeared in 33 games as a freshman at Providence College. He had three assists for the Friars and was minus-7 with 22 PMs.

2011-12: Adams was limited to 19 games in his sophomore season at Providence College – missing time late in the season due to concussion issues. He had his only point of the season – an assist – in the first game of the season in November against Vermont. Adams finished minus-8 with 12 penalty minutes. The Friars finished seventh in Hockey East but knocked off Massachusetts-Lowell to reach the conference semifinals in head coach Nate Leaman’s first season.

2012-13: Adams made a healthy recovery from his concussion issues and skated in seven games for Providence as a junior before suffering a season-ending knee injury in November 2012. He was plus-3 with no points and 6 penalty minutes.

Talent Analysis

Adams is a big, tough defenseman who is an above average skater for his size. Despite concussion issues and then a knee injury that limited to a handful of games in back-to-back seasons he has shown tenacity in getting back on the ice and is a team leader at the college level. Whether his talent level and ability allows him to succeed at the pro level is a matter of conjecture at this point.

Future

Adams was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA after his injury issues and is skating as a redshirt senior for Providence College in 2014-15. While he is by no means a certainty to sign an entry-level contract with the Sabres following this season, his determination and fortitude in continuing his career despite his injury issues are plusses in his favor. Adams plays a more all-round game in college, he figures to be more of a stay-at-home type in the pros.